Peach tree (&#34;Top Crest&#34;)

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree which has the following unique combination of desirable features: 
     1. Early maturity of fruit (ripening 2 to 3 days before Royal April Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,411). 
     2. Heavy production. 
     3. Extreme firmness of the flesh with excellent shipping characteristics. 
     4. Good handling and packing characteristics due to round shape. 
     5. Good eating and storage quality.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Our new variety of peach tree was originated by us in the experimentalorchard located at Modesto, Calif. It was selected from a large group offirst generation seedlings originating from a cross between FayettePeach (Non-patented) and a peach seedling of unknown parentage. Wemaintained this new selection under close observation, during which timewe recognized its distinctive desirable characteristics described aboveand selected the variety for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was asexually reproduced by budding asperformed by us in the experimental orchard at Modesto, Calif. and showsthat said characteristics come true to form and are established andtransmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous, uprightgrowth and a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size, veryfirm, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with good eating quality and theability to store and ship to long distance markets. The fruit is furthercharacterized in comparison to Royal April Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,411) by being more round in shape, having firmer flesh, greaterstorage and shipping quality and ripening 2 to 3 days earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show reproductions of typical specimens ofthe fruit and foliage of our new variety, with illustrations of theupper and lower surface of the foliage, and an exterior and sectionalview of the fruit with the stone in place. The photographs were takenshortly after being picked at maturity (firm ripe) and the colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of our new and distinct variety of peach tree, asbased on observations of specimens grown at Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common color terms) in accordance withReinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Form.--Upright.

Density.--Medium dense.

Production.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Stocky.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brownish gray.

Branches:

Size.--Medium stocky.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Medium size.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 7". Average width -- 15/8".

Form.--Lanceolate, pointed.

Texture.--Smooth.

Thickness.--Medium.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Average length -- 1". Average width -- 3/32".

Glands.--Average number 4, range 2 to 6. Positioned on lower part ofleaf blade and upper part of petiole. Reniform.

Color.--Upper surface -- Deep green (27-F-5) to (28-F-6). Lower surface-- grayish green (28-E-6) to (28-E-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Form.--Plump.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Large, showy.

Blooming period.--Feb. 26, 1982 to Mar. 7, 1982. Varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--May 8, 1982.

Date of last picking.--May 16, 1982.

Size.--Medium to large. Average diameter axially -- 2 5/16" to 27/8".Average diameter transversely to suture plane -- 2 5/16" to 27/8".

Form.--Globose -- Nearly symmetrical.

Suture.--Shallow -- extends from apex to base.

Ventral surface.--Nearly rounded.

Apex.--Rounded to slightly retuse.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded to slightly elongated. Average depth -- 1/2". Averagebreadth -- 11/16".

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate. Short.

Color.--Bright yellow ground color -- (4-A-8) to (5-A-8). Red blush(8-A-7) to (8-B-8).

Flesh:

Texture.--Very firm.

Fibers.--Few -- tender.

Juice.--Moderate.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Mild.

Aroma.--Very little.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--Dark yellow (4-A-7) to (4-A-8) to cadmium orange (5-A-6) to(5-A-7). Stone cavity -- red (9-A-6) to (9-A-8) bleeding into sectionsof flesh around cavity.

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 1 3/16". Average breadth -- 7/8".Average thickness -- 5/8".

Form.--Ovid.

Base.--Mostly straight.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Sides.--Mostly equal.

Surface.--Furrowed toward apex. Pitted toward base.

Ridges.--Rounded.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Color.--Light brown (8-C-5) to (8-D-6).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Shipping quality: Very good.

Keeping quality: Very good.

The new peach tree and its fruit herein described, may vary in slightdetail due to climatic, soil conditions and cultural practices underwhich the variety may be grown, the present description being of thevariety as grown by us in the experimental orchard under ecologicalconditions prevailing at Modesto, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous and upright growth and being a regular and productivebearer of medium to large, very firm, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit;the fruit is further characterized in comparison to Royal April Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,411), by maturing 2 to 3 days earlier, being moreround in shape, having firmer flesh and greater storage and shippingcharacteristic.